I was reading on this web site that Lipitor can effect (slow down) fat burning. I did not read anything like that in Atkins diet book. Is this true? I saw other drugs mentioned but not statins.Also, What about altace, which is hypertensive med, but not a beta-blocker.

DH is on Lipitor and was low-carbing last year to lose 15 excess pounds...he had no problem...lost the 15 lbs in about 2 months (with some cheats). I think, like everything, it depends on the person.

Yvonne, Thanks for your response on lipitor. WB

I just quit lipitor in the hopes that Atkins will mitigate my problem. The literature indicates it does as such. I did NOT like the nauseau from Lipitor and have been looking for a solution. I go back for blood tests in July, and I trust and have confidence I can get off of this impervious medication (I just don't like it).

I have taken Lipitor for several years. I restarted LCing in late October. To date I have lost 26 pounds. Compared to some, it's not a lot, but I am thrilled. Could I have done it faster without the Lipitor??? I don't know, but I do know that heart disease runs in my family and I'm not about to stop taking the stuff! Slow weight loss is certainly better than a heart attack.

Judy

My hubby also had to quit Lipitor, he has had fantastic results with Niacin.
Tried to P.M. you but can't, so post i my journal if you'd like to hear more about it.
Kathy

Thank-you for your reply! WB

Lipitor, like other statin drugs, has been shown to cause cancer in lab animals. There are NO long-term studies of statins in humans, and since cancer can take many years to appear, there is the possibility that those taking statins are greatly increasing their chances of getting this disease, but will not see the warning signs till it is too late.

All statin drugs also inhibit the body's production of CoQ10--a nutrient critical for the heart's function and for releasing energy from food at the cellular level.

For more on statins, you can visit two sites:

http://www.ravnskov.nu
http://www.thincs.org

Dr Byrnes, Thank-you for your reply. I read in the Atkins book about the effect statins have on the liver and coQ10. However, I was not aware of cancer in lab rats. That's a disturbing thought! I have had skin problems (dry,cracking,& bleeding) on my hands since I started the drug. I have always suspected the Lipitor as a cause of this nagging problem. I want to try some alternative therapy. Both my parents died young of heart attacks, and I had total Chol.of 264 before starting drugs to reduce it. Naturally,you can see I have to take this matter seriously. Would you suggest niacin or Dr Atkins vita- nutrient solutions? Thanks for your feedback. WB

Walt:

Since there is nothing harmful in having a "high" cholesterol level, why should you do something to reduce it?

Cholesterol levels go up and down all the time in the body and can indicate other conditions, e.g., hypothyroidism. Lowering one's level without searching for the real cause is, IMO, quite dangerous.

You should also know that high cholesterol levels are an indicator of longevity in both men and women. Just because your parents died of heart attacks does not mean that high cholesterol was the cause--there are numerous causes and risk factors for heart disease.

You need to visit the site I mentioned in my earlier post.

Walt-

I wouldn't doubt it if you skin probs are in fact related to the Lipitor. I took one round of it, had my labs checked and was starting round 2 when I broke out in this horrid rash. My skin dried out, was itchy and blotchy and I had nausea along with it. My doc didn't think it was the Lipitor, but I convinced her to let me stop it anyway. Within a week all the problems disappeared. Go figure.

I have now been controlling my cholesterol and triglycerides w/this WOL alone. IMHO, I'd give this WOL a chance w/o meds and see how you do. Why have foreign chemicals in your system it it's not necessary?

BTW- I lost a grandfather to high cholesterol and my father was pretty darn close to a heart attack before he started meds. High cholesterol is a genetic demon in my family and carbs just infuriated it. My dad is now doing a modified LC plan- we're waiting to see his latest lab results.

Best of luck to you-
Nikki

I convinced my Dr. to take me off 20mg. of lipitor and put me on niacin therapy for my chol. problems.I will go back for tests in 3 months. Can 500-1000 mg. daily of slow release Niaspan effect my Atkins Diet weight loss efforts? I was reading it can effect energy metabolism and blood sugar. Is this usually a positive effect? Do I even need Niaspan when on this diet? Could I just use Atkins vita nutrient formulations for chol.? Walt